Session
Technical Session VIII: University Student Scholarship Competition
Abstract
The UASat is a small satellite being designed by students from the University of Arizona. The UASat is being designed to be launched from the Hitchhiker Ejection System. One of its scientific missions is to receive laser communication signals from a ground station. In order to receive the signals, the telescope of the satellite must track the ground station while passing over. This paper describes the kinematics and control of this ground tracking maneuver. The parameters of the nonlinear control law have a geometrical, intuitive interpretation which simplifies their selection. Simulation results are shown for the maneuver.
Geometric Attitude Control of a Small Satellite for Ground Tracking Maneuvers
The UASat is a small satellite being designed by students from the University of Arizona. The UASat is being designed to be launched from the Hitchhiker Ejection System. One of its scientific missions is to receive laser communication signals from a ground station. In order to receive the signals, the telescope of the satellite must track the ground station while passing over. This paper describes the kinematics and control of this ground tracking maneuver. The parameters of the nonlinear control law have a geometrical, intuitive interpretation which simplifies their selection. Simulation results are shown for the maneuver.
